Syllabus - Sp '17

Reading Citations (these readings will be linked below on this website under the week they are assigned if they are not included in the course textbooks):

**Please note that the below readings are available to you via the links provided on this webpage in our daily schedule. These links will NOT work if you are not directly connected to the Boise State University network. You MUST login to the library system BEFORE the links will take you directly to the pdf version of the reading.**

You are responsible for printing out the pdf version when it is available and bring all readings with you to class each day we discuss them. 

Required Text:

Lucaites, John Louis, Celeste Michelle Condit, & Sally Caudill, eds. Contemporary Rhetorical Theory: A Reader (New York: Guilford P, 1999). [ISBN 1572304014]

Texts on Reserve (posted on eReserve and held in Physical Reserve at BSU Library):

Foss, Sonja K. Karen A. Foss, & Robert Trapp, eds. Contemporary Perspectives on Rhetoric. 2nd ed. (Prospect Heights, IL: Waveland, 1991 [1985]). [ISBN 0881335428]
Prelli, Lawrence J., ed. Rhetorics of Display. (Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina Press, 2006). [ISBN 1570036195]

Required Supplemental Reading - [Either posted on eReserves or available through BSU library databases]:

DeCerteau, Michel and Luce Giard. “Ghosts in the City.” In The Practice of Everyday Life, Volume 2: Living and Cooking, 133-43. Translated by Timothy J. Tomasik. Minneapolis: U. of Minnesota Press, 1998.

Flores, Lisa A. “Creating Discursive Space Through a Rhetoric of Difference.” Quarterly Journal of Speech 82 (1996): 142-56.

Foucault, Michel. The Archaeology of Knowledge. New York: Routledge, (1962) 1972 [Excerpt posted on eReserves].

Habermas, Jürgen. The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere: An Inquiry into a Category of Bourgeois Society. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, (1962) 1991. [Excerpt posted on eReserves]

Hauser, Gerard A. Vernacular Voices: The Rhetoric of Publics and Public Spheres. Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina Press, 1999. [Excerpt posted on eReserves]

Rosenfield, Lawrence W. “Central Park and the Celebration of Civic Virtue.” In American Rhetoric: Context and Criticism, ed. Thomas W. Benson, 221-66. (Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, 1989).

 
All readings are to be completed BEFORE each class period under which they are listed on the weekly calendar below. Be sure to bring the text and all relevant readings to class on the day they are discussed.

Weekly Assignments

• Week 1:
• Wed. 1/11/17 - Review syllabus and discuss expectations for semester; Discuss "what is rhetoric?" and "what is theory?"; Discuss the role of contemporary rhetorical theory in the field of Communication
• HW:  Read Chapter 1 in Contemporary Perspectives on Rhetoric [CPR] - posted on Blackboard under Course Readings folder as FossFossTrappCh1 - for Friday 1/13
• HW: Read Part 1 in Contemporary Rhetorical Theories [CRT] "What Can a 'Rhetoric' Be?" for Friday 1/13
• Fri. 1/13/17 - Discuss the relationships among rhetoric, theory, and praxis
• HW: Read Poulakos in CRT for Wednesday 1/18
• Week 2:
• Wed. 1/18/17 - Discuss "the problem of praxis" according to Poulakos; rhetoric as unique and social; classical roots of contemporary rhetorical discussions; What is rhetoric, according to Poulakos?
• HW: Read Farrell in CRT for Friday 1/20
• Fri. 1/20/17 - Discuss Farrell's definition of rhetoric (reconceptualizing Aristotle's version); significance of phronesis and its relationship to praxis; application opportunities for studying and understanding contemporary life
• HW: Read McKerrow in CRT for Wednesday 1/25
  
• Week 3:
• Wed. 1/25/17 - Discuss "critical rhetoric" as an alternative way of understanding praxis and the purpose of studying and engaging in rhetorical scholarship; rhetoric as tension-filled
• HW: Complete Comparative Activity (posted on Blackboard under Course Documents) in lieu of class on Friday 1/27 (i.e., NO IN-CLASS MEETING ON FRIDAY)
• Fri. 1/27/17 - NO IN-CLASS MEETING (Complete Comparative Activity on your own - due at the beginning of class in typed, printed form on Wednesday 2/1).
• HW: Read Part 2 in CRT "Rhetoric & Epistemology" for Wednesday 2/1
  
• HW: Read Scott in CRT for Wednesday 2/1
• Week 4: 
• Wed. 2/1/17 - Debrief Comparative Activity: Begin discussing the relationship(s) between rhetoric and epistemology; how rhetoric in contemporary life affects and is affected by epistemology; Scott's position on the relationship between "rhetoric, knowledge, and ethics" as well as to argument and experience
• HW: Review Scott
• Fri. 2/3/17 - Continue discussing the relationship(s) between rhetoric and epistemology; how rhetoric in contemporary life affects and is affected by epistemology; Scott's position on the relationship between "rhetoric, knowledge, and ethics" as well as to argument and experience
• HW: Read Part 3 “The Character of the Rhetorical Situation” in CRT for Wednesday 2/8
• HW: Read Bitzer in CRT for Wednesday 2/8
• Week 5:
• Wed. 2/8/17 - Discuss the role of context in rhetorical theory and the "plight" of the rhetorical situation (Bitzer)
• HW: Review Bitzer for Part II on Friday 2/10
• Fri. 2/10/17 - Continue discussing Bitzer
• HW: Write extensive outline or first draft of Analysis Paper #1 (refer to syllabus for specific prompt question) - remember the Analysis Paper should be 4-5 pages in APA standard formatting.
• HW: Bring questions about Analysis Paper #1 to class on Wednesday 2/15
• Week 6:
• Wed. 2/15/17 - 9:00-9:30 Open Q&A about Analysis Paper; Time for Individual meetings about papers thereafter
• HW: Finish Analysis Paper #1 (Assignment and Expectations Listed on Course Syllabus - link at top of page)
• Fri. 2/17/17 - NO CLASS MEETING - ANALYSIS PAPER #1 DUE no later than 10:15 am via e-mail to me with an attachment in MS Word or MS Word compatible format (i.e., no pdf documents please - save as .rtf if you do not have MS Office). If you do not receive an email confirmation from me by 12:00 pm, please follow-up. Otherwise I will consider your paper late (see syllabus for late work policy).
  
• HW: Read McGee in Part VI of CRT for Wednesday 2/22
• Week 7:
  
• Wed. 2/22/17 - Discuss how we can understand our cultural and physical landscape as rhetorical; Discuss McGee's contribution to this discussion
• HW: Read Gallagher in ROD (posted on BlackBoard under Cousre Readings)
• Fri. 2/24/17 - Discuss Gallagher's contribution to the discussion of landscape and rhetorical theory
• HW: Read Part 6 “The Role of Discourse in Social Change” in CRT for Wednesday 3/1
• HW: Read Simons in CRT for Wednesday 3/1
• Week 8:
• Wed. 3/1/17 - Theory Encyclopedia Excerpt Workshop - Bring Theory Encyclopedia thus far and questions
• HW: Read Simons via link sent to you in email from me
• HW: Read Part 6 in hard copy form (handed out in class Wed. 3/1)
  
• Fri. 3/3/17 - Discuss how rhetorical theory adds to our understanding of social change; Discuss Simons's contribution to this discussion
• HW: Read Part 8 “Challenging the Tradition…” in CRT for Wednesday 3/8 
• HW: Read Shome in CRT for Wednesday 3/8
• HW: THEORY ENCYCLOPEDIA EXCERPT DUE FRIDAY 3/10 at *beginning* of class
• Week 9:
• Wed. 3/8/17 - Discuss the responsibility of rhetorical theory to account for "difference" - (how) should it?; Discuss Shome's contribution to this discussion
• HW: Prepare for logistic discussion about article creation - how to "invite" engaged rhetoric
• Fri. 3/10/17 - THEORY ENCYCLOPEDIA EXCERPT DUE no later than 9:00am in hard copy form (no emails) in class
  
• HW: Read Foss & Griffin (1995) for Wednesday 3/15
• HW: Review Bone, Griffin, & Scholz (2008) for Wednesday 3/15
• HW: Review Lozano-Reich & Cloud (2009) for Wednesday 3/15
  
• Week 10:
• Wed. 3/15/17 - Discuss invitational rhetoric; Plan for Friday's workday
• HW: Prepare for Friday's article workday
• Fri. 3/17/17 - Article Workday (Details TBD)
  
• HW: TBD for Wednesday 3/29
• Week 11:
• Wed. 3/22 & Fri. 3/25 - NO CLASS - SPRING BREAK
• Week 12:
• Wed. 3/29/17 - No In-Class Meeting: Article Workday (see email for individual assignments)
• HW: Continue working on in-progress assignments
• Fri. 3/31/17 - No In-Class Meeting: Encylopedia Workday (please implement feedback from excerpt assignment)
• HW: Read Habermas in CPR-p. 233-242; p. 249-255 and Habermas excerpt from The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere (all posted in Course Readings folder on BB) for Wednesday 4/5
• Week 13:
• Wed. 4/5/17 - Transition to understanding how rhetorical theory can help (and hinder) the development of a healthy public sphere; Discuss Habermas's influence on this discussion
• HW: Implement Theory Encyclopedia Excerpt Feedback and ensure Theory Encyclopedia is up-to-date with most recent versions of appropriate content
• HW: Prepare for Article Workshop Day on Friday 4/7
  
• Fri. 4/7/17 - Article Workshop Day (bring questions to talk through)
  
• HW: Read Hauser (1999) excerpt (posted in Course Readings folder on BB) for Wednesday 4/12
• Week 14:
• Wed. 4/12/17 - Continue discussion about rhetorical theory and the public sphere; Discuss Hauser's theory of vernacular rhetoric
• HW: Prepare to workshop paper on Friday 4/14
  
• Fri. 4/14/17 - Workshop Article (all sections in one version will be distributed via email and hard copies in class)
• HW: Read Foucault in CPR - p. 339-357; 360-361; 365-369 (posted in Course Readings folder on BB) for Wednesday 4/19
• HW: Read Foucault (1972) - Introduction and Chapter One (Click link at bottom of Introduction to access Chapter One).
• Click here to access the full online text of this reading assignment slated for discussion in class on Wednesday 4/19
  
• HW: Article Assignment Updates due via e-mail Thursday 4/20 no later than 12:00 noon
  
• Week 15:
• Wed. 4/19/17 - Discuss how epistemological assumptions, understandings of possibility, and experiences with power relations produce particular understandings of rhetoric; Discuss Foucault's contribution to this discussion; Discuss how power relations affect how we understand and experience rhetoric "in the world"
• HW: Article Assignment Updates due via e-mail Thursday 4/20 no later than 12:00 noon
• Fri. 4/21/17 - Workshop Article (all sections in one version will be distributed via email and hard copies in class)
• HW: Article Assignment Updates due via e-mail Sunday 4/23/17 no later than 8:00 pm
• NOTE: I will update entire article and assess grades via rubric for your portion of the article and return assessments on Friday 4/28 in class
  
• Week 16:
• Wed. 4/26/17 - NO IN-CLASS MEETING - THEORY ENCYCLOPEDIA WORKDAY; Individual Meetings Available during class time
• HW: Finish Theory Encyclopedias and turn in for final evaluations - due on Friday 4/28
• Fri. 4/28/17 - THEORY ENCYCLOPEDIA ASSIGNMENT DUE IN CLASS (between 9:00-10:15 am in hard copy form). 
• NOTE: Please be sure to understand late work policy - some points for a partially completed or not-quite-perfect assignment are always better than no points for a completely absent assignment!

Have a wonderful Summer and hopefully I will some of you again after the break and others of you will keep me posted as you enter the great world of rhetoric as it "actually exists" :)

Announcements

• (1/9/17): If you have trouble downloading any reading on either Blackboard or via Boise State databases, please see me prior to the class we are discussing them, and I will be happy to help. Most other files that are posted should not have this problem. That being said, technology is tricky, so ensure minimal access problems by downloading your readings ahead of time.
• ABOUT LINKS ON THIS PAGE: If you are accessing links off-campus, you will need to FIRST log-in to the library website (there is a big orange button on their homepage that says "login from off-campus") and THEN access these links to make them work for you. You may need to click "refresh"before accessing the link on the course webpage again, but you should be able to access it after you are successfully log-in.
  
• Let me know if you need me to walk you through this early in the semester, and I am happy to do so. Also, feel free to use the supplemental readings list at the top of the page (as well as listed on the course syllabus and on Blackboard as a Supplemental Readings list) to find all these at once, rather than clicking on them here from week to week.
• (1/9/17): You have the ability to print off all our readings outside of the Required Text (CRT) as pdf files posted on Blackboard under a Course Readings folder or accessed through existing library databases. You also have the ability to access the reading in the listed Supplemental textbooks above (and on the syllabus) and you may choose to either buy those books and bring them with you to class when those readings are due. You can also access these books at the Circulation Desk of the Albertson's Library on Physical Reserve. You cannot check them out of the library but you can borrow them and photocopy them to bring them with you to class or scan them in and access them in pdf format on your copmuter or tablet in class if you find that easiest for you.
• Any way you choose to access the readings beyond the textbook, you are responsible for having the reading in hand with you in class on the day we discuss it. Please let me know if you have any questions. I'm happy to help you access readings well in advance of when it is due.